Thermostat Climate Control Management

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Application No. 63/634,827, filed on Apr. 16, 2024, titled THERMOSTAT CLIMATE CONTROL MANAGEMENT, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Most residential buildings and commercial buildings utilize electrical power received from a utility company. Ideally, utility companies will provide uninterrupted or infrequently interrupted power to their customers at proper voltage levels and line frequency. However, the electrical generation systems of the utility are susceptible to disruptions caused by factors such as heightened or otherwise variable demand, equipment failures, adverse weather conditions (e.g., high winds, precipitation, ice, fires, and lightning), and the like, potentially resulting in intermittent power outages. The duration of power outages can vary based on the cause and the severity of the problem, impeding the operation of electrical devices that are powered via energy the utility supplies.

Electrical generators can be used as backup sources of energy, such as during a power outage from a utility. The electrical generators can operate in a stand-by mode, where electrical power provided by a primary source, such as from a utility, may be monitored. If the power provided by the primary source utility fails or otherwise ceases, the electrical generator can automatically start operating to generate electrical power and prevent the total loss of available electrical power.

An electrical generator may have a generation capacity less than the power demands the generator is responsible for, such as the typical power usage of a residential building. Sizing the electrical generator to have a capacity to meet power demands can be prohibitively expensive and impractical and may not be possible due to regulations.

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to managing a generator, and, particularly, climate control (e.g., Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)) management systems and methods for use with a generator. A climate control energy management system or controller, such as a thermostat, can monitor the frequency of the source power to determine if the power supplied by a generator or a utility. If the thermostat determines that the source of energy is generator power, the thermostat may determine whether the generator is reaching full capacity. If the generator is reaching full capacity or is at full capacity, the thermostat can reduce the climate control load.

In some embodiments, and by non-limiting example, a method of managing a climate control system for use with a generator system comprises, by a thermostat: monitoring a frequency of electrical power supplied to the climate control system; determining that the generator system is supplying power based on the frequency; and in response to determining the generator system is supplying power, shedding at least a portion of an electrical load of the climate control system to operate at a percentage of full power. The method can further comprise determining to increase the percentage of full power based on the frequency; and in response to determining to increase the percentage of full power, increasing the percentage of full power. In example implementations, determining to increase the percentage of full power based on the frequency comprises determining a magnitude of frequency dither is at or below a frequency dither threshold for a period. In further example implementations, determining to increase the percentage of full power based on the frequency comprises: sampling the frequency, wherein sampling the frequency comprises sampling a sample amount; determining all of the samples of the frequency have a magnitude of frequency dither at or below a first frequency dither threshold; and determining a second portion of the samples of the frequency have the magnitude of frequency dither at or below a second frequency dither threshold. In additional example implementations, determining to increase the percentage of full power based on the frequency comprises determining the generator system is no longer supplying power based on the frequency.

In some examples, shedding at least the portion of the electrical load of the climate control system comprises adjusting temperature settings of the thermostat. In example implementations, determining the generator system is supplying power based on the frequency comprises determining the frequency is any one of (i) below a minimum threshold frequency for a first period, or (ii) below an extreme threshold frequency for a second period. In some embodiments, monitoring the frequency comprises determining an amount of zero-crossings during a plurality of subperiod. Determining the generator system is supplying power based on the frequency can comprise determining a subperiod of the plurality of subperiods are below a minimum threshold amount of zero-crossings; evaluating one or more previous subperiods of the subperiod to determine whether any of the previous subperiods are below an extreme frequency threshold; and evaluating subsequent subperiods of the subperiod to determine whether the subsequent periods are below the minimum threshold.

In another aspect, a method of managing power supply of a climate control system from a generator system comprises: monitoring a frequency of electrical power supplied to the climate control system; determining that the generator system is supplying power based on the frequency; in response to determining the generator system is supplying power, shedding a portion of an electrical load of the climate control system to operate at a percentage of full power; delaying increasing the percentage of full power for a period; and after the period, increasing the percentage of full power. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the frequency is below a threshold after increasing the percentage of full power; in response to determining the frequency is below the threshold, shedding a second portion of the electrical load to operate at a second percentage of full power; delaying monitoring the frequency for a second period; after the second period, determining the frequency is above a second threshold; and in response to determining the frequency is above the second threshold, again increasing the percentage of full power.

In certain embodiments, increasing the percentage of full power comprises increasing the percentage of full power by a second percentage; determining the frequency is above a threshold; and in response to determining the frequency is above the threshold, increasing the percentage of full power by a third percentage. In example implementations, increasing the percentage of full power further comprises again determining the frequency is above the threshold; and in response to determining the frequency is again above the threshold, again increasing the percentage of full power by a fourth percentage. In additional example implementations, increasing the percentage of full power further comprises determining the frequency is below the threshold; and in response to determining the frequency is below the threshold, reducing the percentage of full power by a fourth percentage.

In some embodiments, the portion of the electrical load is a full electrical load, and the percentage of full power is zero percent. In certain embodiments, at least the portion of the electrical load of the climate control system comprises adjusting temperature settings of the thermostat.

In another aspect, of managing a climate control system for use with a generator system comprises: causing the climate control system to operate according to normal settings; monitoring a frequency of electrical power; determining that the generator system is supplying power based on the frequency; and in response to determining the generator system is supplying power, causing the climate control system to operate according to generator backup settings. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining the generator system in no longer supplying power based on the frequency; and in response to determining the generator system is not supplying power, causing the climate control system to resume operating according to the normal settings. In other embodiments, the method further includes monitoring the operation of one or more electrical devices, wherein causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings is further based on the operation of the one or more electrical devices.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, in response to causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings, sending a notification to a user device indicating the climate control system is operating at the generator backup settings. In other embodiments, the method further comprises, in response to causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings, sending a notification to an operator device indicating the climate control system is operating at the generator backup settings. In additional embodiments, the method further includes, in response to causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings, displaying a notification on a display indicating the climate control system is operating at the generator backup settings. In yet other embodiments, the method further comprises determining the frequency indicates poor power quality; and causing the climate control system to stop operating.

In further embodiments, the method further comprises setting a priority of the climate control system and one or more electrical devices, wherein causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings is further based on the priority of the climate control system and the one or more electrical devices. In additional embodiments, the method can further include receiving a priority of the climate control system and one or more electrical devices, wherein causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings is further based on the priority of the climate control system and the one or more electrical devices. In example implementations, the method further includes receiving an updated priority of the climate control system and the one or more electrical devices.

In some embodiments, the method further includes detecting an occupancy state, wherein causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings is further based on the occupancy state. In example implementations, the method further includes determining the occupancy state indicates occupancy; and in response to the occupancy state indicating occupancy, causing an electrical device to operate at a lower power state before causing the climate control system to operate according to the generator backup settings. In further embodiments, the method further includes receiving an instruction to cause the climate control system to operate according to user instructions from a user device; and in response to receiving the instruction, causing the climate control system to operate according to the user instructions.

In yet another aspect, a system comprises a climate control system; and a thermostat operable to: monitor a frequency of electrical power supplied to the climate control system; determine that a generator system is supplying power based on the frequency; and in response to determining the generator system is supplying power, adjust the operation of the climate control system. In some embodiments, to adjust the operation of the climate control system comprises to adjust temperature settings of the thermostat. In further embodiments, the thermostat is further operable to receive a user input indicating generator backup settings; and to adjust the operation of the climate control system comprises to adjust temperature settings of the thermostat to the generator backup settings.

In additional embodiments, to adjust the operation of the climate control system comprises to determine generator backup settings; and adjust temperature settings of the thermostat to the generator backup settings. In yet further example embodiments, the thermostat in further operable to: determine that the generator system in no longer supplying power based on the frequency; and in response to determining the generator system is not supplying power, cause the climate control system to resume operating according to normal settings. In additional embodiments, the thermostat is further operable to: monitor the operation of one or more electrical devices, wherein to adjust the operation of the climate control system is based on the operation of the one or more electrical devices.

In a further aspect, a system comprises a memory storage; and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to perform operations comprising the method described in any of the embodiments above.

In another aspect, a thermostat comprises a memory storage; and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to perform operations comprising the method described in any of the embodiments above.

In yet another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a set of instructions which when executed perform operations comprising the method described in any of the embodiments above.

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.

An electrical generator may have a generation capacity less than the power demands the generator is responsible for, such as the typical power usage of a residential building. Sizing the electrical generator to have a capacity to meet power demands can be prohibitively expensive and impractical and may not be possible due to regulations. Therefore, electrical generators may be managed to strategically allocate the power the electrical generator can generate to prioritize the supply of power to certain devices while potentially not supplying power to other devices.

Systems and methods for managing a climate control system, such as a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and/or other systems for controlling temperature, humidity, air purity, etc., for use with a generator backup are described herein. The climate control system may be present in various operating environments including residential and commercial buildings. A controller, such as a thermostat, can control the operation of the climate control system.

Managing a climate control system for use with a generator backup can include the controller causing the climate control system to operate according to generator backup settings, including ceasing operation to shed the electrical load entirely or operating at a less power intensive mode to reduce the load by a percentage of the climate control system's full load during normal operation for example. The controller can cause the climate control system to operate at a lower power mode by instructing the climate control system to disable one or more climate control system components (e.g., heater, air conditioner, humidifier, dehumidifier, air purifier) or adjust when the climate control system operates or otherwise uses climate control system components. For example, the controller may adjust temperature settings for when a heating system or air conditioning system should operate, such as instructing or otherwise causing the climate control system to operate the heating system only if the interior temperature reaches four degrees less than the usual trigger temperature (e.g., heating only when sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit is reached instead of heating when sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit is reached). A user can instruct or otherwise control the controller to configure the temperature increases and/or decreases when the generator backup is supplying power.

The controller can execute or otherwise implement an algorithm to determine whether the climate control system and/or other systems of operating environment are receiving power from a generator backup by monitoring the frequency of the received power. The controller can use the algorithm to determine that a generator backup is supplying power when the frequency drops. For example, a thermostat monitors frequency of the power via the wiring of the climate control system (e.g., via the common wire (C-wire)).

Once the controller determines that the frequency of power dropped and the generator backup is therefore supplying power, the controller can instruct or otherwise cause the climate control system to cease operation to shed the climate control system load or to operate at a lower power mode. For example, the controller may adjust temperature settings for a heating system or air conditioning system, adjust humidity settings for a humidifier or dehumidifier, adjust air quality settings for an air purification system, and/or the like. Additionally, the operation of certain components may be adjusted before others. A user may prefer their residence to maintain a comfortable temperature instead of a humidity and air quality level, so the controller may disable the operation of a humidifier, dehumidifier, and/or air purifier before adjusting operation of a heating system or air conditioning system.

The controller may also cause the climate control system to operate at a reduced power by applying a duty cycle of supplied electrical power to one or more of the climate control system components. Thus, one or more of the climate control system components may receive a power for a percentage of a period and not receive power for the remaining percentage of the period. Thus, the climate control system components may still operate for a shorter amount of time because of the duty cycle, thereby operating at a reduced power mode.

The controller can also cause the climate control system to reconnect at a lower power mode to operate at a reduced load or cause the climate control system to reconnect or otherwise resume operation at normal power to operate at a full load. The mode the climate control system resumes operating in can be based on the generator backup's capacity, the priority of the climate control system, whether power from another source (e.g., a utility) is restored, and/or the like. For example, the controller may not cause the climate control system to resume operation until the controller detects power from the other source is restored and the generator is no longer supplying power or can attempt to cause the climate control system to resume operation while the generator operates at a power level that the generator can accommodate.

In some embodiments, the controller delays causing the climate control system to resume operation. The controller may determine the delay settings, store the delay settings, and/or receive delay settings from a user. For example, the user can select a delay length (e.g., delay period) for the controller to wait before causing the climate control system to resume operation when the controller determines the generator backup is supplying power. The user can also select different delay lengths based on whether other managed loads are present in the system (e.g., an electric vehicle charger, refrigerator, television, sound system, washing machine, dryer, dish washer, etc.). The delay may be a minimum of five minutes in some examples. In some embodiments, the user can adjust the trigger temperature the heater and/or the air conditioner systems begin operating to reduce the power the climate control system will consume when the generator backup is operating. In yet other embodiments, the controller can set the climate control system in a lockout mode so the climate control system will not operate when the generator backup is operating. The user can optionally override the lockout mode to enable the climate control system to operate when the generator is operating.

The user can also change the delay or cause the climate control system to resume or cease operation when the generator backup is operating. For example, the thermostat monitors and displays the current home temperature and allows the user to adjust the reconnection delay and dynamically control the climate control system in consideration with other equipment the user desires to utilize while on backup power. The user can therefore dynamically control the climate control system to initiate or cease operation when the generator backup operates to maintain a desired temperature, humidity, air quality, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the load shedding algorithm the controller uses to determine how to control the climate control system is or includes the methods and operations of the load shed systems and modules and/or controllers described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,069,331, 11,108,265, and 11,831,197, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. For example, the controller can use the algorithm to manage the reduction of power one or more loads consume, including the climate control system, without a user having to adjust the output power between load shedding events. The load shedding algorithm can also optimize the operation of the climate control system based on the size of the generator, allowing the climate control system to operate to meet user temperature and/or other climate preferences as closely as possible without overloading the generator and preventing other systems from operating. Thus, the systems and methods for managing a climate control system include determining when to cause the climate control system to shed its load or otherwise operate at a lower power mode and determine how and when the climate control system should reconnect to receive power.

In some embodiments, there are two different frequency thresholds before the controller causes the climate control system to cease operation—a minimum threshold and an extreme threshold. These thresholds define whether the generator system can handle the currently applied load and whether the climate control system will shed its load. In some examples, the minimum frequency threshold for sixty Hertz (Hz) generators is fifty-eight Hz, two Hz from nominal, and the extreme threshold is fifty Hz, ten Hz from nominal. In other examples, the minimum frequency threshold for sixty Hertz generators is 59.8 Hz. For fifty Hz generators, the minimum frequency threshold can be forty-eight Hz, two Hz from nominal, and the extreme threshold can be forty Hz, ten Hz from nominal.

In some embodiments, monitoring the power (i.e., monitoring the frequency) to determine when the climate control system should shed its load or otherwise operate at a lower power mode includes checking the power in an interval (e.g., every millisecond). If the voltage has gone from positive to negative, or negative to positive, since the last interval, a zero crossing is counted. Every ⅛th of a second, or 125 ms, the zero-crossing count can be collected and accumulated into a total zero-crossing count over the last four collections, accounting for a half-second of zero-crossings. This half-second zero-crossing count can be logged. Six contiguous half-second counts can be collected for the frequency evaluation.

If the most recent half-second zero crossing count is below the minimum frequency threshold, the climate control system and/or another monitoring system may check the previous half-second zero-crossing counts. If any of the previous half-second counts (e.g., the last six half-second counts) are below the extreme threshold, the climate control system will shed its. If the frequency remains below the minimum threshold for the next three seconds, the climate control system will shed its load. If the frequency recovers, or increases, or if the frequency rises above the minimum threshold over the next three seconds, the climate control system will not shed the load, and the controller will consider the decrease in frequency a false alarm.

is a schematic view of an operating environmentfor managing a climate control system for use with a generator backup. The operating environmentincludes a generator system, a source, an electric grid, a load, a controller, a climate control system, a bus, and a user device. The generator system, the source, the electric grid, the load, the controller, and the climate control systemcan supply and/or receive electric power via the bus. The buscan be an electric connection for a single-family home, an apartment complex, a commercial building, or some other building or complex. In additional embodiments, more or fewer systems may be connected to the bus(e.g., multiple generator systems, multiple sources, multiple loads, etc.).

The generator systemmay be a generator backup capable of generating and supplying power, such as when power from the electric gridis stopped. The sourcemay be any system that generates and supplies power. For example, the sourcemay be a photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, or some other system that generates power. The electric gridmay be associated with a utility and supply power. The loadmay be any system that receives power, such as an appliance, an electronic, and the like.

The controllercontrols the operation of the climate control system. In certain embodiments, the controlleris a thermostat, for example as will be illustrated inand described below. The thermostat may be a smart thermostat capable of connecting to wireless networks and controlling the climate control systemand/or other systems automatically. The controllercan cause the climate control systemto shed its load or otherwise operate in a lower power mode and reconnect or otherwise operate in a higher power mode in response to whether the generator systemis supplying power via the busor is not supplying power.

The user deviceis any device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, a personal computer) that a user may operate. The user may use the user deviceto control the operation of the climate control systemby communicating with the controller. For example, the user devicecan send temperatures to the controllerthat the controlleruses to determine when to initiate operation of the climate control system. The controllercan include components for monitoring when the generator systemis operating to determine when to adjust operation of components and for reconnecting to power in some embodiments, described in more detail with respect to. In other embodiments, the controllercan communicate with separate monitoring systems to determine when to adjust operation of components and for reconnecting power.

is a schematic viewof the controllerand the climate control system. The controllerincludes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an air quality sensor, an occupancy monitor, a power monitor, a display device, a notification system, a communication system, a processor, and a storage. The controllercan include more or fewer components in other examples, such as other sensors, less sensors, and/or the like. The climate control systemincludes a heating system, a cooling system, a humidity system, and an air quality system. The climate control systemcan include more or fewer systems and/or components in other examples. In some embodiments, the climate control systemcomprises multi-stage heating and cooling equipment.

The controllerconnects to the busvia a first connection, and the climate control systemconnects to the busvia a second connection. In some examples, the controllermay not directly connect to the busand may receive power via the third connection. The controllerand the climate control systemconnect via a third connection. The third connectionmay include multiple wires, such as a common wire (C-wire), one or more R-wires for power (e.g., Rc and Rh wires), a G-wire for ventilation such as fans, a Y-wire for cooling, a W-wire for heating, an O-wire for a heat pump, and/or the like. The third connectionmay also include one or more relays that include circuitry for the detection of the multiple wires. The controllercan monitor the frequency of the power to identify when the generator systemis operating via the C-wire.

The temperature sensorsenses the temperature of the environment (e.g., the operating environmentor a structure present in the operating environment), the humidity sensorsenses the humidity of the environment, and the air quality sensorsenses the air quality of the environment (e.g., air quality index). The occupancy monitorincludes one or more sensors to enable the controllerto determine whether the environment is occupied. For example, the occupancy monitorincludes one or more motion sensors, one or more microphones, one or more device location trackers to identify the location of the user device, and/or the like. The controllercan additionally connect to external sensors, including external temperature sensors, humidity sensors, air quality sensors, and occupancy sensors. The controllercommunicate with the external sensors via the communication system.

The power monitorcan monitor the characteristics of the power the climate control systemreceives via the bus. For example, the power monitormonitors the frequency of the power the climate control systemreceives to determine whether the generator systemis operating. The power monitorcan identify when the frequency of the power drops to determine whether the generator systemis operating based on the frequency drop. The controllermay then cause the climate control systemto cease operating or operate in a low power mode at least for a delay or until power from the electric gridis restored and the generator systemstops supplying power. In some embodiments, the power monitormonitors the frequency of the power using the C-wire as described above.

The display deviceis a device for displaying information and/or receiving input. The display deviceis a touch screen in some embodiments. The display devicecan display various user interfaces that can include information and different inputs for adjusting the operation of the climate control system, adjusting operating settings, adjusting the priority of the climate control system, and the like. Operating settings can include the temperatures, humidity, and/or air quality to keep the environment at (i.e., when to cause the heating system, the cooling system, the humidity system, and the air quality systemto operate) during normal conditions when the environment is occupied, during normal conditions when the environment is not occupied, during backup generator operating conditions when the environment is occupied, and during backup generator operating conditions when the environment is not occupied. The operating settings can also vary based on the time (e.g., less heating and cooling at night). The operating settings can also include the priority of the climate control system, indicating whether the climate control systemshould adjust or cease operation for a loador continue operating while the loadadjusts or ceases operation, delay preferences for when to reconnect the climate control system, and/or the like.

The notification systemincludes one or more components for notifying a user. For example, the notification systemcan include a speaker system to generate tones for notifications, a light system with one or more indicator lights to illuminate for notifications, and/or the like. The notification systemcan indicate when the climate control systemis operating normally and when the climate control systemis operating under specified conditions when the generator systemis operating.

The controlleruses the communication systemto wirelessly communicate with other devices, including the user device, external sensors, and/or the like. The communication systemmay enable the controllerto connect to and communicate with other devices using short-range wireless technology, cellular communication technology, local area networking, infrared technology, radio, and/or the like. The controllercan send information to the user devicevia the communication system, such as the state of the environment, the operating state of the climate control system, the operating settings, the state of the generator system, and the like. The controllercan also receive instructions from the user device, such as a mode for the climate control systemto operate in, adjustments to operating settings, a command to initiate operation or stop the climate control systems, notification that the environment is occupied or is not occupied, and the like.

The processorcan process instructions and data to enable the controllerto perform actions, such as determining the state of the environment using the sensors, determining whether the environment is occupied using the occupancy monitor, determining whether the frequency of the power drops using the power monitor, displaying information and receiving input via the display device, displaying or otherwise causing notifications using the notification system, and communicating with devices using the communication system. The storagecan store instructions for the processorto execute, data such as the state of the environment, the date and time, operating settings, and the like.

The heating systemis one or more components to heat the environment, such as a furnace, boiler, forced air system, radiator, a heat pump, etc. The cooling systemis one or more components to cool the environment, such as a central air conditioner, ductless mini-split air conditioners, window air conditioners, geothermal air conditioners, evaporative cooling air conditioners, etc. The humidity systemis one or more components to humidify or dehumidify the environment. The air quality systemis one or more components to ventilate and/or filter air.

The controllercan control the operation of the components of the climate control system, such as the heating system, the cooling system, the humidity system, and the air quality system, based on the state of the environment operating settings (e.g., temperature settings, humidity settings, air quality settings, settings based on occupancy state, settings based on time of day), and whether the generator systemis operating. The controllercan determine the state of the environment using the temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, and the air quality sensor.

When the controllerdetects that the generator systemis operating using the power monitor, the controllercan determine whether to cause the climate control systemto adjust operation or stop operating. The controllercan determine how to adjust the operation of the climate control system(e.g., adjusting the temperatures that will trigger the heating systemor the cooling system, disabling the humidity systemand/or the air quality system) or to stop the climate control systembased on the magnitude of the frequency drop that indicates the generator system, because the magnitude of the frequency drop may indicate whether the generator systemis supplying sufficient power to one or more loadsthat a user wants operating and to the climate control system.

The determination to adjust or stop operation of the climate control systemcan also be based on the priority of the climate control system. For example, if the climate control systemhas priority over a loadthat is consuming power, the controllermay wait to adjust operation of the climate control systemuntil the loadwith the lower priority adjusts or ceases operation. The controllercan then determine if the climate control systemshould adjust or cease operating based on determining if the generator systemcan supply sufficient power without having to supply power to the lower priority load. If there are no lower priority loadsthat can adjust operation or cease operating and the generator systemis not supplying sufficient power, the controllercan then adjust or stop operation of the climate control system.

The priority of the climate control systemmay be based on occupancy state, current inside temperature, current outside temperature, difference between current inside temperature and desired inside temperature, relative humidity, air quality, and/or the like. For example, the climate control systemmay be assigned a higher priority for cooling a building when the outside temperature is ninety degrees Fahrenheit than when the outside temperature is seventy degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, components of the climate control systemhave individually assigned priorities. For example, cooling systemcan be assigned a higher priority than the humidity systemand the air quality systemto indicate that the humidity systemand the air quality systemshould be disabled or set to lower power modes before the operation of the cooling systemis adjusted. Thus, the humidity system, the air quality system, and the loadmay be disabled or otherwise operate at lower power to enable the cooling systemto maintain normal operation. The controllercan determine the priorities of the climate control systemand other devices based on various factors (e.g., occupancy state, current inside temperature, current outside temperature, difference between current inside temperature and desired inside temperature, relative humidity, air quality, preferences of which devices should remain operational, etc.), from inputs indicating the priorities (e.g., from a user device), and/or the like.